Eco-forest artist and art researcher Cathy Fitzgerald reviews Irish singer-songwriter Cathy Davey's music and videos for her New Forest (2016) album. Fitzgerald reflects how art is a powerful means and meme to engage and convey more life-sustaining eco-social understanding of the Symbiocene.

This is an update of a post I wrote on 20 August 2013. Found abandoned on the floor of Hollywood last weekend, two works of art... __________________________ Update Summer 2016: Fellow 9 Stone Artist Annabel Konig has developed a moving project about nests as a symbol for our many ideas about 'home'. The work of…Read more The art of Sitka spruce twigs, mud and moss: now at VISUAL Carlow

“The artists whose work we see around us have done their job with great skill, vision and imagination. Such inner exploration helps us to talk to ourselves and each other at a deeper level. It carries news of where we live and who we are and what we think is important. It undermines and reinforces.…Read more The Possibilities of Place

I was surprised and delighted to be asked by Dr. Deirdre O'Mahony to contribute a poster to the Teagasc and Galway County Council Farming and County Life 1916-2016 event, which seeks to commemorate the 100th year of Ireland's Rising and to reflect on developments in farming and country life across Ireland over the last century.…Read more Re-imagining forests for Ireland in 2016 and beyond

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I explore new ideas and practices for eco-social well being by bringing art and non-art practices together in my creative practice. I also offer Ecoliteracy learning for the arts at www.haumea.site
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Through my practice and an art practice-theory PhD "The Ecological Turn", I have developed a guiding theory-method framework to articulate the context and workings of long-term eco-social art practices. These vital practices activate ecoliteracy and agency for environmental change in communities. Much of my PhD drew on my experiences and challenges, and the review of others' pioneering creative practices' that are responding to ecological concerns. My own transversal practice reflects on the transformation of the small conifer plantation that I live with, Hollywood forest, toward new-to-Ireland, Close-to-Nature forestry. I bring previous experience in biological science research and interests in environmental philosophy, policy development and ecocide-Rights of Nature law developments into the mix.
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Somehow an eco-social art practice allows me to connect and move across these various strands of interest to create a new agency for myself and the human and non-human neighbours I depend on and live with.
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Hollywood forest is the smallest Close-to-Nature forest in Ireland; its growing happily near Mt Leinster and the Blackstairs mountains in South East Ireland.